The vast body of water we know as the ocean covers 71% of the Earth’s surface. Although there is only one global ocean, it is divided into regions according to various historical, cultural, geographical, and scientific factors. For a long time, these regions were: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic. However, a fifth ocean has recently been recognized.
On World Ocean Day, the Southern Ocean was identified by Nat Geo cartographers. After significant research, they discovered that the current circling Antarctica makes the water different from the other oceans. With this information, they concluded it deserved its own name.
Scientists had acknowledged this difference and were using the separation for almost 100 years. However, this body of water is just now getting public recognition.
The Southern Ocean is the home of many marine ecosystems and is considered a focal point of the southern hemisphere. Excluding the Drake Passage and the Scotia Sea, it extends from Antarctica’s coastline to 60° south latitude. Therefore, its borders meet three of the other oceans.
One of its special characteristics is the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which lies within the ocean. This current makes the water colder and less salty than in the region's north. Dating back to approximately 34 million years ago, the ACC marks the ecology of the Southern Ocean as unique, providing a habitat for thousands of species.
Those who have experienced the beauty of the Southern Ocean can appreciate its significant distinction. Seth Sykora-Bodie, a marine scientist at the NOAA and a National Geographic Explorer described this contrast: “Anyone who has been there will struggle to explain what’s so mesmerizing about it, but they’ll all agree that the glaciers are bluer, the air colder, the mountains more intimidating, and the landscapes more captivating than anywhere else you can go.”
Bibliography
Gibbens, S. (2021, June 8) There’s a new ocean now—can you name all 5? National Geographic.
Metcalfe, T. (2021, June 14) Earth's fifth ocean just confirmed. Live Science.
National Ocean Service (n.d.) How many oceans are there? National Ocean Service.
Cohen, Li. (2021, June 8) Southern Ocean officially recognized by National Geographic. CBS News.